31 October – Commemoration of the Reformation

By Trudi, on October 17th, 2011

Here are the resources you need for the Commemoration of the Reformation which may be observed on the last Sunday in October. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

VISUAL IDEAS FOR THE DAY

COLOUR AND DISPLAY
The colour for the day is red, the colour of fire and the Spirit.

A very striking effect can be gained if the church is decorated in red on this day. Here are some suggestions:
* Use red flowers in the sanctuary (or red and white, white depicting the pure word of God)
* Decorate the church with red streamers
* Display a red drape with the words SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, each word on a separate card and displayed appropriately on the drape. A large special Bible and red (or red and white) flowers could be added.
* Display a pair of doors made of wood or thick cardboard, in an appropriate size to fit the display area, with a scroll representing the 95 theses pinned (or nailed) on. This could be finished with a red drape and red (or red and white) flowers, and a card reading ‘We hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:28)’.
* Display a red drape, a card with ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith (Romans 1:16)’, a Bible, red (or red and white) flowers, a candelabra with red candles.
* Candles in the church are usually white. This is said to be because they symbolise Christ. However, on this occasion the candles on the altar and in the sanctuary could be red, to symbolise the fire of the Spirit.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.

ALTAR BIBLES
In the past, Lutherans have often placed a large Bible in the centre of the altar. In many ways this was appropriate, as the sacrament of holy communion was rarely celebrated. However, if the sacrament is celebrated, the vessels for the eucharist should be placed in the centre of the altar. In fact, the proper place for the Bible is on the lectern, where it is to be used. However, for services of the word, and perhaps for days of special focus on the Bible, such as Reformation Day, the Bible may be placed open on the altar to show the special emphasis of the service.

SYMBOLS
Suitable symbols for the day are:

Luther’s coat of arms (Luther’s rose)

Symbols of the word
eg Symbol for St Paul of the open Bible over a sword pointing downwards
Symbol of the open Bible and the lamp of knowledge burning on it
The ark or ship of the church

Altar colour:Red

Bible readings:
FIRST READINGJeremiah 31:31-34 The Lord will write his law on our hearts
PSALM Psalm 46*For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READINGRomans 3:19-28 Justification by faith
GOSPEL John 8:31-36“In my word, you will know the truth”

Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on gospel: Pr Simon Cooper ; edited for lay reading sermon – john 8v31-36 – year a – reformation ; NEW Pr Tim Stringer ; NEW Pr Peter Ghalayini
Based on Luther’s Rose: Pr Vince Gerhardy

Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the followingTraditional
Almighty and eternal God,
you mercifully give the light of the gospel
to your church.
Keep us in sound teaching
that we may steadfastly believe
and worthily follow
your saving word,
and finally by its holy comfort
depart in peace and joy;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
in mercy you give the light of your gospel
to your church.
Keep us in sound teaching,
so that we may firmly believe
and faithfully follow
your saving word,
and finally, with its holy comfort,
die in peace and joy.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, alternative
Lord God,
you have given all holy Scriptures for our learning.
Lead us to hear them,
read, note, learn, and inwardly digest them.
Encourage and support us by your holy word,
so that we may always hold onto
the joyful hope of eternal life,
which you have given us
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

Prayer after the gospelThis is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of your word.
Keep us faithful to your word,
so that we may know the truth,
and the freedom it brings.
Amen.

Offering prayerHeavenly Father,
there is nothing that we could offer to you
as a sacrifice for our sin.
Yet in your great love,
you have offered up your own Son,
so that through him we may be put right with you.
Accept the gifts we offer here today,
as mere tokens of our gratitude
for the great gift of salvation
which you have given to us.
Amen.

Second reading: Romans 3:19-28
LHS
83 Beneath the cross of Jesus
173 Before the throne of God above
270 The law of God is good and wise G3
312 In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord
322 Dear Christians, one and all rejoice* G3
323 Blessed are the sons of God* G4
324 Salvation unto us has come* G5
325 Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat
327 Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
330 Rock of ages G6
331 My hope is built on nothing less*
332 Thy works, not mine, O Christ*
411 If God be my defender* G3
851 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
852 God loved the world so that he gave G5
871 My heart is filled with faith and wonderAT
130 I am covered over
131 Amazing grace
329 This kingdom
345 Nothing but the blood of JesusTIS
129 Amazing grace
195 Salvation now to us has come
196 Dear Christians, one and all rejoice
213 Father, whose everlasting love
222 Rock of ages

Gospel: John 8:31-36
LHS
4 Once He came in blessing* G4
197 Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word* G5
379 Lord of creation, to Thee be all praise G6
883 There’s a gladness in my heartAT
32 Thou wilt rest him in perfect peace
50 I will sing
67 Let your word fill my days
156 He sets us free
217 Shine, Jesus, shine
232 He set me free (There’s a gladness in my heart)
332 We are sorryTIS
197 God’s Son came to bless us
261 Lord, you are the light of life to me
436 Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
626 Lord of creation, to you be all praise
675 Lord, the light of your love shining

PSALM 46TIS 28, God is our strength and refuge, is a paraphrase of the psalm.

The following songs and hymns have some basis in Psalm 46 – although none of them are actually paraphrases of the psalm itself.LHS
195 A mighty fortress* (* modernised version available) G3
854 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your sideAT
9 Be still and know that I am God As the reader speaks the verses of Psalm 46, the congregation may respond after every few verses with the singing of the first verse of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9).
311 Be still and know that I am God Most appropriate for an opening song.
339 In you, O Lord, I found refuge
458 God is our refuge and strengthTIS
103 A mighty fortress

The following paraphrase of Psalm 46, by David Schütz, may be sung to the tune of ‘A mighty fortress’ (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

God is our refuge and our strength
a present help in trouble.
And so we will not be afraid,
though all the earth may tremble.
Though mountains may fall,
though seas roar and foam,
though all the earth quakes,
still we are not afraid.
The Lord of hosts is with us!

A flowing river brings great joy
throughout God’s holy city,
for God himself is always there,
and it will not be shaken.
God’s help comes at dawn,
the nations will roar,
the kingdoms will fall,
his voice will melt the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us!

O come and see the fearsome things
the Lord has made to happen.
He makes wars cease; he shatters shields;
he breaks the spears and arrows.
‘Now be still, and know
that I am your God.
Throughout all the earth,
I am exalted high!’
The Lord of hosts is with us!

OR, the following paraphrase by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,

And so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid.

The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now.

He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;’

‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’

OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSICWhile the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.

Any one have any special orders of service for Reformation?
I think it would be good to use Luther’s 2nd Article for the Creed.
Any ideas for the Communion Liturgy? I would love to have a Sung Communion to Reformation Hymns
Thanks
Jim

Resources for services with communion are not offered on this site as it is specifically for lay people. You could check out what is available on the Commission on Worship website (see the link on the left side bar and look under Browse Worship Resource Collection>Sunday by Sunday>Minor festivals and other days). Alternatively, perhaps you could adapt one of the Hymnic service orders for Reformation using the tunes of some Reformation hymns and then you could submit it to CoW to publish on their website